National Symbols of India

National symbols of India creates the entity of the whole nation, highlighting the pride and prestige. They represent the identifiable features that make it exclusive and help India to remain stand apart from the rest of the world. A list of national symbols of India has been provided:

National Anthem:
"Jana-gana-mana" was embraced as the national anthem of India by the Constituent Assembly on 24 January 1950. It is a beautiful song written by the legend Rabindranath Tagore. It comprises of five beautiful stanzas. It was first sung on 27 December 1911 at the Calcutta Session of the Indian National Congress. It takes approximately fifty- two seconds to play the whole version of the national anthem. On special occasions, however, a brief version of 1st and last lines of the stanzas, which takes approximately 20 seconds, are hummed.
National Emblem
Among The replication of the Lion at Sarnath, near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh is national emblem of India. It is considered to be one of the significant national symbols of India. The Lion Capital was raised up in the 3rd century BC. Emperor Ashoka built it to demarcate the place of the first proclamation of Buddhism among the people of Indian subcontinent. The national emblem symbolizes modern-day India`s reassertion of its ancient allegiance to goodwill and grace of the whole of the humankind.

The four lions, one obscured from viewing, symbolize supremacy, valor and poise. It reposes on a spherical calculating machine, and four small animals encircle it. These animals are regarded as protectors of the `four directions`. The lion is for the north, the elephant for the east and the horse for the south and the bull for the west. The `abacus` leans on a full-bloomed lotus flower, which exemplifies the source of life and innovative motivation. At the bottom of the `emblem`, the axiom `Satyameva Jayate` is carved out .It is written in Devanagari script, which stands for `truth alone triumphs`.

National Animal -
The Royal Bengal Tiger, the national animal, stands apart in respect of national symbols of India. Yellow color, black -striped body, white belly makes this specie an epitome of authority and grandeur. To protect the tigers to lose in extension due to illegal hunting, The Government of India undertook Project Tiger program.

National bird is the peacock. What is awesome is the magnificent display of its beautiful plume and tail with the gathering of clouds in the sky, heralding the arrival of rainy seasons.

They preferred to live in the forests and near the water bodies. They are decreasing in numbers and thus peacock hunting is banned.

National Flower
Lotus is the national flower. It carries the heritage of Indian tradition and is important one among other national symbols of India. Banyan tree is the national tree, noted for its longevity and widely spread branches and strong branches.

Mango is the national fruit. It is not only good in taste and also it has got nutritional values. It is a source of Vitamins A, C and D. In India there are more than hundred types of mangoes of various sizes, shapes and colors. Mangoes have been cultivated in India since ancient period. Indian Legends too mentioned about this fruit and its qualities. The great poet Kalidasa composed songs in its praise. Foreigners like Alexander; Hieun Tsang almost fell in love with this tasty fruit. Akbar implanted several mango trees in Darbhanga and it became popular as Lakhi Bagh.

In the midst of widely acclaimed national symbols of India, National flag of India stands as the sign of independence and democracy. It is a horizontal tricolor equally proportioned with the three colors: deep saffron on the top, white in the middle and dark green at the bottom. The ratio of the width to the length of the flag is 2:3. A wheel in navy blue occupies the centerfield of the white banding. This wheel signifies `the Dharma Chakra` which means the wheel of law in the Sarnath Lion Capital. The diameter is at par with the breadth of the white band and it has got twenty-four spokes. Colors stand for certain virtual qualities. The saffron represents bravery, sacrifice and the spirit of repudiation; the white, for innocence and truth; and the green for trust and richness.

National symbols of India inherit Indianness, not only in its characteristic features and also in its affects.